Everyone breathed a sigh of relief while Sam closed the distance to wrap her arms around her mate. Nafarius wrapped her in his embrace, pulling her close and dropping a kiss on the top of her head before walking them back towards the others.
Dresden nodded at Sam, his respect for her growing ever more. She was a good leader, a strong woman and would do them all proud.
“I think the best way to force Storm’s hand is to make him think he’s about to lose his chance.” Dresden had been thinking about this for a while and had worked out a plan that was simple but should be effective. “We know that Storm’s been sending scouts…”
“And we’ve been sending them back in pieces,” Roland said with a growl.
There were growls of approval from all present.
“I suggest we let one or two get in and out to report back to Storm,” Dresden said.
“I don’t get it,” Tasha said. “If Storm knows where Sam is why hasn’t he attacked and tried to take her?”
“I suspect he’s waiting for something, for the right opportunity to present itself.” Dresden said. “There’s no question that Sam is well protected and hard to get to. Not only that but if he suspects her of being a shapeshifter then he’ll have some idea of how dangerous she can be.”
Sam stiffened. She didn’t like hearing herself described as dangerous.
“Storm is content to wait. He knows where Sam is and every indication is that she’s staying put. I suggest we make him think that she’s leaving, getting ready to go into hiding,” Dresden explained.
“Won’t he grow suspicious?” Sam asked. “You said it earlier, I’ve been well protected. None of the pack have been allowed out alone and none of the women or children at all. If I suddenly walk out into the woods Storm will know something is up. He’ll smell a trap.”
Roland and Nafarius both nodded.
“The Council members,” Jude whispered in sudden understanding.
Dresden gave her a small smile, pleased that she’d caught on so quickly. He hadn’t shared his thoughts with her, it not being his place despite their relationship as lovers. But she was quick and smart and seemed to understand strategy. “Exactly. We make it look like Sam is getting ready to leave with the Council members, to return to the city and the security of the Archives.”
The Archives were where all of the lycan’s knowledge and history was stored. It was also the official seat of the Council. While most Council members chose to reside in their own residence or with pack and pride the official house remained and was used for Council meetings and functions. The location was known only to alpha pack members, pride leaders or individual lycans strong enough to live on their own. It was also considered the lycan’s most secure building.
Sam nodded, “Storm would easily believe that I would move to a secure location and timing it with the Council’s return to the Archives would eliminate any suspicion of a trap.”
“Have you spoken with Jonas or Lillian?” Nafarius asked Dresden.
“No,” Dresden shook his head. “I wanted to talk to you first, see if it was something you would even consider doing.”
Nafarius nodded. “It’s a risk,” he said, addressing his comment to Roland and Sam. “It means letting Storm’s scouts leave with information on the pack. It also means brining this battle here, to our territory not to mention the territories of the surrounding pack.”
“We get most of the pack out,” Sam said. “We move the youngest and the oldest out, one and two at a time, and hide them. That would leave enough of the pack left to maintain appearances. Besides, with the exception of a few of us I doubt Storm or his men have learned to identify individual pack members. As long as we remain no one would think twice at not seeing the same individuals.”
“We can hide them within the surrounding packs,” Tasha suggested. “Enough of us have friends and family that have married into the other packs. We can call on those connections to help spread our people out. I doubt Storm is watching the other packs but just in case one or two new people in each pack won’t be noticed and if it is can be explained away by simple relations.”
Roland, Nafarius and Dresden were all nodding. “We’ll speak with the pack tonight, decide who goes and where,” Roland said.
“What about the Council?” Dresden asked. “Do you want to speak to them or shall I?”
Nafarius considered. “We’ll talk to them together.”
“Is there a chance they won’t agree?” Sam asked.
Nafarius looked to Dresden to answer. “Maybe,” Dresden shrugged. “I had hoped to have them safely away before Storm arrived. This plan means asking them to stay, to act as escort to your supposed departure and risks them in the coming conflict.”
Sam understood that the Council members were considered too important to be put in danger. It was Dresden’s job as a Hunter to see to their protection. Asking them to remain went against everything in his nature and training. “We get them out as well,” she said. “They can be in the last group to go and hide among one of the other packs.”
“Doesn’t that defeat the purpose?” Tasha asked.
Sam shook her head. “We need them to remain long enough to create the appearance that I’ll be leaving with them. Once word gets back to Storm he’ll have to move without waiting for confirmation. In the time it will take for his scout to get out and report back we can move the Council members. We can’t risk getting them out to the Archives but we can get them out of our territory and far enough away to ensure their safety.”
“The twins go with them,” Nafarius said.
Sam wanted to argue. She didn’t like the idea of Zane and Kaysen out of her sight, not when she knew Storm would be moving into the area. One look at Nafarius’ face and she knew there would be no arguing with him. Reluctantly, she nodded. “Maddie goes with them,” she said.
“Payton too,” Tasha said and took Sam’s hand in her own.
There was a moment of profound silence as everyone absorbed the reality of what they were planning, what they were agreeing too.
“It’s done then,” Nafarius said. “Dresden, let’s go talk to the Council members. Once we have their agreement we can let the pack know and start plans for moving individual members to safety.”
Dresden nodded and the two men headed off to find Jonas and Lillian. Sam, Tasha and Jude went back inside, Roland a step behind them.
Lillian and Jonas looked at each other with another of those silent communications. Nafarius would have sworn entire conversations took place in those quiet moments.
“You’ve obviously thought this through,” Jonas said.
Dresden nodded, “We wouldn’t ask if we didn’t think we had every chance of coming out of this the winner.”
“Of course,” Lillian said softly. “You’ve proven yourself capable time and time again.”